Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/507

Rh rocks overlooking the Görner Glacier. They are continually on the move, uttering as they fly about a sort of subdued cackle, and making elegant evolutions in the air. At times they retreat into the ragged rocks, in the holes of which they no doubt build their nests. Another smaller company of this Chough inhabits the steep cliff between the Riffelalp inn and the Riffelhaus.

There was a pair of Ravens on the Görnergrat during one of my visits, which seemed to be on the best of terms with the Choughs, and headed them in their evolutions as they flew about.

A third delightful little bird of the Riffelalp is the Alpine Accentor (Accentor alpinus), which is hardly known as a "British bird," but may be easily recognized by those who trouble to look for it among the highest ranges in Switzerland. Although it is unquestionably allied to our so-called "Hedge-sparrow," its habits are quite different, and are more like those of the Pipits or Stonechats. I have always seen it in pairs or small flocks, or sometimes singly, picking about on the ground amongst large stones, or perching on rocks and running over their surfaces. On one occasion I found a family party of six or seven within two hundred yards of the Riffelalp hotel. They are usually rather shy, and it is difficult to get one's glasses well fixed on them, so lively are their movements; but when you get a good side light on them the spotted throat and rufous tinge on the flanks render them easily distinguishable.

The Snow-finch (Montifringilla nivalis) is also a characteristic bird of the high Alps from 8000 to 10,000 ft. I have seen small flocks of them on the Furka Pass and elsewhere. On the Riffelalp this year I only identified a single bird with certainty; this was on the outskirts of the pine wood near the hotel. But another flock of finches which I saw in the same neighbourhood near Findelen Glacier was, I believe, of this species.

In the open parts of the highest pastures on the Riffelalp the Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) is by no means rare. They are always seen on the ground, taking a short flight when disturbed, and then settling again in the herbage. Their habits appeared to me to be much the same as those of our Meadow Pipit (A. pratensis).

The Black Redstart (Ruticilla tithys), common all over Switzerland, is also to be found on the Riffelalp, but does not